A study of the factors that assisted and directed Scottish emigration to Upper Canada, 1815-1855

Cameron, James M. (1971) A study of the factors that assisted and directed Scottish emigration to Upper Canada, 1815-1855. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The first half of the nineteenth century witnessed the
beginning of large scale emigration between Scotland and the British colony of Upper Canada. In any migration there are a
number of factors which act as obstacles to the migration flow
and a number of agencies (factors) which operate to overcome
these obstacles.
This study examines in turn those factors that assisted
and directed Scottish emigration to Upper Canada between 1815
and 1855. Its focus is on a dynamic aspect of population -
migration - and it examines in detail the spatial distribution
of a variety of factors, influencing and directing the movements
of large numbers of people.
Eight major factors are evaluated as to their influence
over time on the character, volume and direction of this
emigration. These eight factors are qualitatively ranked
on the basis of the factors' role in overcoming various obstacles
and the number of emigrants who were assisted and influenced.
The three factors in the first order are friends and
relatives; periodicals, newspapers and books; and Scottish
ports, shipping and emigration agents. These three factors
were all of critical importance by acting as positive and
continuing links in the migration process, through the provision
of information, encouragement and an organizational structure.
The three factors in the second order - government; emigration
societies and trade unions; and landlords were in some ways
less significant in the overall emigration. These factors
generally tended to act as positive links in the migration
process during limited time periods and in specific areas. The
two factors in the third order - land companies and land
speculators in Upper Canada and churches were relatively the
least significant. They often related to small groups and
individual personalities and tended to be of more significance
when the emigrants began to settle in their new environment.
The first half of the nineteenth century was a period
of tremendous change and development both in Scotland and in
Upper Canada. This study examines a significant yet often
neglected aspect of this process of change.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: F History United States, Canada, Latin America > F1001 Canada (General); D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities
• Supervisor's Name: Supervisor, not known
• Date of Award: 1971
• Depositing User: Mrs Marie Cairney
• Unique ID: glathesis:1971-3516
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 16 Jul 2012
• Last Modified: 05 Feb 2014 17:12
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/3516